Which Open NBA Head Coaching Gig Will Be the Most Challenging?

Now that the Utah Jazz have decided to bring in former Atlanta Hawks assistant Quin Snyder—and Minnesota Timberwolves part-owner and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders has appointed himself to patrol the sideline—there are just three two vacant NBA coaching positions remaining.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers are still searching for ideal fits after the two Mikes—Brown and D’Antoni, respectively—were relieved of their duties. The New York Knicks were among the stragglers waiting to hire a new coach, but Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck reports via Twitter that Derek Fisher has accepted the position under president of basketball operations Phil Jackson:



As the lone teams left hunting for a coach, the Cavs and Lakers are facing significant challenges. Neither made the 2014 playoffs as they combined for 60 wins—fewer than the San Antonio Spurs.

Despite their woes, both had an All-Star representative: Kyrie Irving and Kobe Bryant.

Of course, “The Black Mamba” was voted in despite appearing in just six games. The 35-year-old future Hall of Famer still has to prove he can return to an All-Star-caliber level following two severe injuries—an Achilles tear and a fractured lateral tibial plateau.

Irving, meanwhile, is trying to reach the postseason for the first time in his young career. Cleveland is expected to offer him a max contract this summer, per The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Terry Pluto, but “Uncle Drew” may choose not to accept it. That murky stance casts some shadows on the Cleveland job’s overall appeal.

Both of these organizations is in a state of turmoil, but some outlooks are bleaker than others. These gigs have their inherent pros and cons, but which holds claim to being more challenging?

 

Cleveland Cavaliers



Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers